Gypsies again!: Fraser Island

After leaving Noosa and setting up our caravan at Tin Can Bay we headed off to Rainbow Beach to get all the info we needed on visiting Fraser Island. We had heard differing stories of getting bogged in sand and since we were on our own we weren't keen on getting stuck! We didn't at all!!

Rainbow Beach reminded me a lot of Coral Bay.

After buying the permits we needed and booking into Qld National Park campsites on the island we returned to our caravan and started packing our camping gear!!! Letting go of creature comforts was a bit tricky for us....we've become spoilt....

We left our van safely at Tin Can Bay Caravan Park and set off the next morning.....happy campers!!

Rainbow Beach

Fraser Island is a World Heritage area and the world's largest sand island. It is described as having "exquisite coastal vistas, desert-like sandblows, pristine freshwater lakes and streams, cool majestic forests, blooming heath and a heritage rich in cultural diversity. Fraser Island (K'Gari) is a natural paradise."

We have to admit, it lived up to all expectations and descriptions. It truly is a paradise.

I think we were very lucky to have visited when we did......out of holidays and the hot summer. There were few people on the island and many places we had to ourselves. Our second night of camping was at a campsite called "Central Station" which was in the middle of a rain forest. There was only 1 other camper there. I felt a bit unsure as I thought someone knew something we didn't know...mossies, serial killers......??, but we stayed and it was absolutely gorgeous. Pleasantly damp, huge trees and the sounds of birds everywhere. We met the other camper who had been exploring the island for 8 days. It really has enough diversity to enjoy for that length of time. We stayed for 3 days.

The island is 123km from north to south. Some tracks, even though may only be about 20 kms can take up to 3 hours to drive. The beach can only safely be driven when the tide is low.

Near the beach before the barge crossing.

Heading to Fraser Island.

Waiting to drive over the sand onto the barge at Inskip Point.

Looking from the barge onto the beach.

Dingo warnings everywhere!

We met a great guy driving a Tag Along vehicle who said he'd show us a good way to negotiate
the soft sand as we drove off the barge.

Hitting the beach.

Saying thanks and goodbye to our friend.

The beach highway.

More beach highway.

Enjoying our view.

A dingo lying peacefully next to a fisherman.

Our first campsite.

A visitor to our campsite.
We were warned by a fellow camper to keep our tent shut.

At the Maheno Wreck - an old paddle steamer on it's way back to USA which came aground in 1930.

Rather chilly in the rain forest.

Making an excellent piece of toast with our camp toaster.

Close by our tent.

Our second night camping in the rain forest.

A stick to protect us from the dingoes??

Coloured cliffs.

More unusual cliffs.

Red Rocks. Reminds me of the Bungle Bungles.

Heading into a storm. Lovely, firm sand.

Indian Heads.

View from the top of a hill we climbed to Champagne Pools.

Natural rock pools called Champagne Pools. Too cold for us to swim!

Out to the ocean at Champagne Pools.

More stunning views!

Some soft sand.

One of the amazing sandblows we saw.

Some more soft sand!

This dingo was inches from my door....hence the close-up.

One of the fresh water lakes - Lake Mc Kenzie. In summer everyone swims as Justin did when he was here.
The water
is clear as clear can be. The lakes are only filled by rain water.